noun · 14 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌriː.lækˈseɪ.ʃən/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/rᵻˌlækˈseɪ.ʃən/
South-Asia:/rɪˈlækˌse.ʃən/
CMU ARPABET:R IY2 L AE0 K S EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The act of relaxing or the state of being relaxed; the opposite of stress or tension; the aim of recreation and leisure activities.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A diminution of tone, tension, or firmness; specifically in pathology: a looseness; a diminution of the natural and healthy tone of parts.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
relaxation of the soft palate
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Remission or abatement of rigor.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Remission of attention or application.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
relaxation of efforts
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Unbending; recreation; a state or occupation intended to give mental or bodily relief after effort.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
The transition of a nucleus, atom or molecule from a higher energy level to a lower one; the opposite of excitation
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
a method of solving simultaneous equations by guessing a solution and then reducing the errors that result by successive approximations until all the errors are less than some specified amount
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
